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Panama Says to Demand Visas From Venezuelans, Slams Maduro

by Reuters

   PANAMA CITY --

   Panama's government said on Tuesday that from October Venezuelans
   wishing to enter the country would need a visa, accusing the
   administration of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of undermining
   democracy at home and security abroad.

   Speaking a few days after a visit to Panama by U.S. Vice President Mike
   Pence, the country's president Juan Carlos Varela said the visa
   requirement would take effect on October 1 and remain in place until
   "democratic order" was restored in Venezuela.

   "Given the break in the democratic order in Venezuela, a situation that
   puts at risk our security, our economy ... and after a careful
   analysis, I've taken the decision to demand visas from Venezuelan
   citizens wanting to travel to Panama," Varela said in a brief televised
   message to the nation.

   Varela said the situation in Venezuela had deteriorated since the
   government decided to press ahead with a 545-member constituent
   assembly in the face of strong criticism from around the Americas,
   including the United States and Mexico.

   On Friday, the assembly granted itself lawmaking powers, dealing a new
   blow to the opposition-controlled congress, whose decisions have been
   nullified by the pro-government Supreme Court.

   Large numbers of Venezuelans have left their country due to economic
   and political turmoil. According to Varela, some 60,000 Venezuelans
   have moved to Panama in the last six years.